Pete Johnson’s Tatuaje is the original boutique cigar company (despite claims made by other brands), and as such has become much beloved and highly sought after by avid cigar enthusiasts. When it was announced that Tatuaje would be releasing a cigar as part of the Stogies World Class Cigars’ H-Town Lancero Series, it set the internet (and the phones at Stogies) buzzing. Manufactured at My Father Cigars S.A. and limited to 500 total boxes, the Tatuaje H-town is sure to become a sought after collector’s item. The latest addition to the H-Town Lancero Series is a very good cigar that is definitely worth picking up while they’re still available.

Pre-Light: The Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper has an earthy brown coloring, and is dry to the touch with a slight oily sheen to it. There a pigtail cap covering the head of the cigar. Of all the bands in the H-Town Lancero series the Tatuaje is my favorite. The band is the same kind as the other Tatuaje Exclusive cigars (most notably the TAAs), but has the Stogies World Class Cigars logo front and center on the band. It really seems to give the cigar a great look.

There is a nutty and earthy aroma to the Ecuadorian Sumatra of the Tatuaje H-Town Lancero. From the unlit foot of the cigar there is a mix of cocoa, nut and earth notes. The cold draw is a little firmer than other Tatuaje cigars, but allows through noticeable chocolate and nut flavors.

Burn: On two of the cigars for this review, the draw was on the firm side, but on three more it was the perfect draw that one would expect from a Tatuaje. (It’s a hand made product, so those things happen once in a while.) From start to finish the burn on the Tatuaje H-Town is very even. A grey ash clings firmly to the cigar.

Flavor: The Tatuaje H-Town Lancero begins with a mellow mix of pepper, cocoa and wood. For the most part, the first third of the cigar starts off a little slowly. About an inch into the Tatuaje H-Town a mix of cocoa, meat, coffee and nuts dominate the flavor profile. At the transition to the second third of the Tatuaje H-Town, a bit of toast and notes begin to make and appearance. On the retrohale there is a mix of powdered cocoa and pepper. By the halfway point in the cigar both the draw and flavor profile really open up. Earth, coffee, powdered cocoa, nuts, leather and black pepper round out the flavors of the second third of the Tatuaje H-Town. Cocoa, coffee, earth and black pepper are the main flavors during the transition to the last third of the cigar, while a subtle wasabi note occurs in the background. The chocolate, cocoa and coffee notes come to the forefront throughout the last third of the cigar. Pepper and wasabi still remain during the the final third, and dominate the last inch or so of the cigar. The final third of the Tatuaje H-Town is very flavorful, and this should be a cigar that ages quite well.

Overall: Of all the H-Town Lancero Series the Tatuaje is perhaps the most highly anticipated release. The Tatuaje H-Town Lancero is a very good cigar that is full of cocoa, coffee, earth, nut and pepper flavors. The flavor profile is in line with what one would expect from Pete Johnson and Tatuaje. Like the lanceros in the previously released Tatuaje Lancero Collection,With the exception of one of the several cigars I smoked for the review, the construction and draw was top notch. Like the lanceros in the previously released Tatuaje Lancero Collection, the Stogies H-Town is sure to be a favorite of Tatuaje fans and cigar collectors. Personally, I’ve been looking forward to the Tatuaje H-Town. The first two I smoked had a plugged draw that eased up after getting to the halfway point, but at the urging of my buddy “Chief” at Stogies, I revisited the cigar a few more times and found the experience quite pleasurable. I’ll definitely be adding a box (or two) to my locker to come back to with a little bit of age. If the Tatuaje H-Town sounds even remotely like something you’d enjoy, I’d highly suggest that you visit Stogies World Class World Class Cigars online, and pick them up while it is still available. (Use the Promo Code TF10 for a discount on your first order.)

Pairing: My personal favorite choice to pair with the Tatuaje H-Town Lancero is a bottle of Dublin Texas Red Creme Soda. The red wine drinker will find that a Bordeaux or high end California meritage will pair nicely. For those looking for something a bit stronger will find a Camus Cognac will compliment the flavor profile of this H-Town quite well.

On a side note: On October 24, 2015, Stogies World Class Cigars in Houston will be holding it’s Second Annual Big Damn Cigar Jamboree and Wingding. Having been to cigar events all over the place, the Wingding is among my favorites. What sets the Wingding apart from other cigar events is it’s focus on boutique cigar brands. You can order tickets online from Stogies World Class Cigars. I look forward to see you there!